Wirebound snap-on crate



Aug. 25, 1959 J. F. DEDMON WIREBOUND SNAP-ON CRATE 5 Sheets-Shet 1 FiledJune 11, 1956 J. F. DEDMON WIREBOUND SNAP-0N CRATE Aug. 25, 1959 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 11, 1956 INVENTOR:

JAMES F. DEDMON ATT'YS Aug. 25, 1959 J. F. DEDMON 2,901,141

WIREBOUND SNAP-0N CRATE Filed June 11, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 4 w N n 1.0 n t I 9 mm T n 1 1 n W M I a l S IJ: p 6

Aug. 25, 1959 J. DEDMON WIREBOUND SNAP-ON CRATE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FiledJune 11, 1956 INVENTOR: JAMES F. DEDMON BY M rM ATT'YS United StatesPatent WIREBOUND SNAP-N CRATE James F. Dedmon, Milan, Tenn.

Application June '11, 1956, Serial No. 590,652

Claims. (Cl. 217-48) This invention relates to a box or crate of thewirebound type.

The crate of the present invention may be either in the form of a tube,or it may be used in the form of a mat to be wrapped around the base orpallet of the crate. The crate body comprises a plurality of spacedapart panels which are hingedly connected together by encircling binding'wires. Certain of the panels are adapted to be provided on their innersurfaces with inwardly projecting strips to engage the side edges of thedeck of a pallet, whereby the projections may be snapped underneath theprojecting edges of the deck, and thus lock the mat, preferably in itstubular form, in position to the pallet.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of a newand improved crate having means formed on the inner sides of certainpanels forming the enclosing walls of the crate for snap-on engagementwith a pallet or other base.

Another object of the invention consists in new and improved means forapplying a crate body to its base or bottom, without the use of tools,by merely snapping a pair of projections on opposed panels to the palletor base.

Another object of the invention-resides in the provision of new andimproved means for forming the slats of the crate panels by arrangingthe binding wires in certain grooves in certain faces of certain of theslats.

A further object of the invention consists in the provision of a new andimproved pallet construction coopcrating with securernent means arrangedon the inner surfaces of opposed crate panels for locking the crate bodyto the pallet and to permit easy removal of the crate body from thepallet.

A further object consists in a new and improved slat constructionprovided with certain horizontal slots arranged on certain faces toreceive the binding wires.

A still further object of the invention consists in the provision of anew and improved pallet cooperating with new and improved means onopposed panels of a crate for attachment to, and detachment from, apallet or other crate base or bottom.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will beapparentthroughout the specification which is to follo'w. i

The accompanying drawings illustrate a certain selected embodiment ofthe invention, and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. 1 is a detail perspective view of a crate embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail perspective exploded view showing the crate body andthe pallet upon which the body is mounted;

Fig. 3 is a detail view of a four-paneled mat embodying the invention;

Fig. 4 is a detail longitudinal end view showing the mat of Fig. 3 inits folded position;

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Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of one form of pallet which isarranged in its open or laid out position;

Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the pallet in its folded andlocked position;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7, but showing the two sections of thepallet spaced apart, and the manner in which the sections are spaced attheir outer or rear ends;

Fig. 9 is a detail rear or elevational view looking in the direction ofthe arrows 9-9 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a detail perspective view of one inner end of the palletlooking in the direction of the arrows 10-10 of Figs. 6 and 7;

Fig. 11 is a detail perspective view of the crate arranged in tube formand its cooperating pallet, and showing the manner in which the tube isapplied to the pallet;

Fig. 12 is a detail plan view of the crate looking downward from the topand showing the manner in which the crate and cooperating pallet areassembled together;

Fig. 13 is a detail transverse sectional view on the lines 13-13 ofFigs. 1 and 12;

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13 with the crate body not yet engagedwith its cooperating pallet, the view being taken on the line 14-14 ofFig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a detail elevational view looking toward the inside of apanel, and showing the manner in whichthe locking strips are arrangedand mounted;

Fig. 16 is a detail transverse sectional view on the line 16-16 of Fig.15; and

Fig. 17 is a detail transverse. sectional view on the line 17-17 of Fig.15.

The particular construction herein shown for the purpose of illustratingthe invention comprises a crate 1, Figs. 1 to 4, formed from a mat 2,Fig. 3, containing four panels 3 to 6, which are hingedly connected byspaced upper and lower binding wires 7 and 8. The four panels 3, 4, 5and 6 are formed continuously by cratemaking machinery, the panels beingspaced a predetermined distance apart.

Each of the panels 3 to 6, inclusive, Fig. 3, is shown as comprisingspaced upper and lower outside cleats 9 and 10 to which vertical end orcorner slats 11 and 12, are fastened. Intermediate bracing slats 13 alsomay be secured to the cleats 9 and 10. Intermediate outside cleats (notshown) may be applied exteriorly of the slats 11 to 13 on larger sizedcrates. The inside positioned slats 11, 12 and 13 have their outersurfaces facing the inside surfaces of the outer cleats 9 and 10 and inphysical contact therewith.

The upper and lower binding wires 7 and 8 (and intermediate bindingwires, when required, should an intermediate cleat be used) hingedlyconnect the four panels 3 to 6 together. The free ends of each of thebinding wires extend a predetermined distance beyond the ends of theouter or end panels 3 and 6, and are adapted to be connected in anyconvenient manner, such as by twisting them together as indicated at 14,Figs. 1, 2, l1 and 13. All four panels, thus, are hingedly connectedtogether to form a tube, Figs. 1 and 2.

The panel 3 is shown as being identical in shape, size and constructionwith its oppositely disposed panel 5, while the panel 4 is shown asbeing identical in size, shape and construction with its oppositelydisposed panel 6. All four panels 3 to 6 may have their tops flush, butthe panels 4 and 6 have their lower ends extending below the bottoms ofthe panels 3 and 5, Fig. 3.

It is desirable that the crate be folded absolutely flat so as toconserve space in shipping and storing. It is further desired that noundue tension or strain be placed on the binding wires during the normalfolding of the connected panels 3 to 6 into a tubular crate formation.

Therefore, in order to make a crate which will lie absolutely flat whenfolded, the spacing of the panels should be such that the space 15,between panels 4 and 5, Fig. 3, is greater than the space between panels3 and 4 and between panels and 6 to form a folding corner 16, Figs. 1,2, 4, l1 and 12. Also, the space 17 between the panels 6 and 3, when thepanels are connected together to form a tube, is greater than the spacebetween the panels 3 and 4 and between 5 and 6 to form a folding corner18. The spaces and 17 at the folding corners 16 and 18, respectively,are a distance apart equal to twice the thickness of a corner slat; thatis, the spaces between adjacent panels 4 and 5, Figs. 3 and 4, andbetween panels 6 and 1, when the crate is expanded, Figs. 1 and 2, isequal to the combined thickness of the two adjacent corner slats at thefolding corners 16 and 18, Figs. 1, 2, 4, 11 and 12. The remainingspaces at the other folding corners, between panels 3 and 4 and betweenpanels 5 and 6, as indicated at 19 and 20, respectively, have the outeredges of the adjacent corner slats spaced apart a distance equal to thethickness of one slat. Therefore, in the arrangement of the panels 3 to6, in the mat formation shown in Fig. 3, the adjacent edges of certaincorner slats are spaced a distance equal to the combined thickness ofthe adjacent two slats, while the adjacent edges of the remaining panelsare spaced apart a distance equal to a single thickness of a cornerslat. The spaced fastening corner 18 of the crate is formed byconnecting the free ends of the binding wires 7, 8 together. This corner18 is of the same panel spacing as the thickness of an end slat 11 ofpanel 3, plus the thickness of the end slat 12 of panel 6, whereby theso-called open corner 18 will be of the same size as the folded corner16.

In a four panel crate as herein shown, the mat 2 is folded along thefolded corner or corner fold 16, Fig. 4, whereupon the corner slatscontact each other as shown in Fig. 4. At the free ends of the mat 2,where the free ends of the binding wires 7 and 8 are to be attachedtogether at 14 to form the completed crate, the slats 11 to 13 ofsuperposed panels also will be in contacting relationship. Therefore,the length of the binding wires, extending from one panel to the otherpanel (panels 6 and 3 and panels 4 and 5), is twice the distance of thelength of the binding wire between panels 3 and 4 and panels 5 and 6.The mat 2, Fig. 3, first is folded, as shown in Fig. 4, and then thefree ends of the binding wires are attached together, as indicated at14, whereby a crate in tube form is provided lying completely andabsolutely flat. When the folded crate, Fig. 4, is expanded to theposition shown in Figs. 1, 2, 11 and 12 the binding wires 7 and 8 willbe sufliciently taut, but there will not be such strain or tension onthe wires as to cause them to cut into the corner edges of the end slats11 and 12. The arrangement is such, therefore, that the crate, whenexpanded, will be in the position shown in Figs. 1, 2, 11 and 12, butfor shipping and storage purposes the crate will be in its flattenedformation, as shown in Fig. 4. A crate of the above type is shown inapplicants copending application, Serial No. 515,970, filed June 16,1955, now Patent No. 2,799,- 420, issued July 16, 1957.

The crate 1 is adapted to fit over, and be secured to, a pallet 21 asdisclosed in applicants copending application. The pallet 21, Figs. 5 to10, is preferably made of two sections 22 and 23. The section 22 isshown as being the upper section and the section 23 is shown as beingthe lower section.

The upper section 22, Figs. 5 to 10, is shown as comprising three spacedapart cleats or runners 24 to which a top deck 25 is secured, the deck25 being of any usable form, but is specifically shown as comprising aplurality of transverse slats 26, preferably arranged in abuttingrelationship.

The lower pallet section 23, Figs. 5 and 6, is shown as being locatedimmediately below the upper section 22, and in contacting relation. Thesection 23 comprises three spaced apart runners 27 arranged immediatelybelow the runners 24 of the top section 22. The upper surfaces 28 of therunners 27 engage the bottom surfaces 29 of the runners 24 of the uppersection 22. The undersides of the runners 27 are fastened together by aplurality of spaced braces in the nature of cross slats 30 so as tostiffen the runners 27 and maintain them rigidly in position.

Each runner 24 of the upper section 22, Figs. 5 and 6, has a verticallyelongated slot or groove 31 at its outer end which corresponds with asimilar groove 32 at the outer end of each runner 27 of the lowersection 23. The opposite ends of the runners 24 and 27 are provided withvertically elongated slots or grooves 33 and 34, respectively. Thegrooves 33 and 34 are in vertical cooperating alinement when thesections 22 and 23 are brought together. The slots 31 and 32, and theslots 33 and 34 comprise, in effect, a single groove for the pallet whenthe two sections 22 and 23 are arranged in unitary contacting relation,as shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 9. The cooperating pairs of slots 31 and 32,and 33 and 34 are adapted to receive encircling binding wires 35, therebeing shown a single encircling binding wire 35 to encircle each of thecooperating runners 24 and 27 of the sections 22 and 23.

Each binding wire 35 completely encircles both sections 22 and 23, beingsecured to the top of the deck 25 immediately above the runners 24. Eachwire 35 passes through the elongated slots 33 and 34 of each of theupper and lower runners 24 and 27, Figs. 7 to 9. The wire 35 then passesover the outside of the bottom slats 30 on the bottom of the lowerrunners 27. Each wire is longer than the periphery of the entire pallet,Figs. 6 and 7, so that there will be a relatively long free end 36,Figs. 5 and 8, extending forwardly from the upper section 22, and arelatively long free end 37 extending forwardly from the lower section23. The extending lengths 36 and 37 of each binding wire aresufficiently long so that they may be received in the front grooves 31and 32 of the runners 24 and 27, respectively, and to permitinterlocking of these free ends in any convenient manner, such as bytwisting the ends together as indicated at 38, Figs. 6 and 7. Eachbinding wire 35 is secured to the upper deck 25 and to the bottom slats30 by means of staples 39 which straddle the wire 35, pass through theslats 26 or 30 and into the respective runners 24 and 27 of thesections, Figs. 6, 7 and 9.

The sections 22 and 23, during formation of the mat which forms thecomplete pallet 21, are spaced as indicated at 40, Fig. 5, a distanceapart, the space being equal to the combined thickness of the slats 26and 30 and the depth or height of the runners 24 and 27. Therefore, thebinding wires 35 at the outer ends of the runners 24 and 27 act as ahinge 41, Figs. 5, 7 and 8, to permit the two sections 22 and 23 to behiugedly connected. The sections 22 and 23 are thus capable to be foldedfrom the position shown in Fig. 5, through the position shown in Fig. 8,and then into closed contacting relation as shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 9.The free ends 36 and 37 of the wires 35 extend down into the frontgrooves 31 and 32 when the two sections 22 and 23 are brought together,the ends then being secured together, as indicated at 38, Figs. 6 and 7,to lock the two sections tightly together to form a unitary pallet 21.

The binding wires 35, fitting in their respective slots 31, 32 and 33,34, guide one section with respect to its other cooperating section sothat the bottom of the top runners 24 can rest on top of the lowerrunners 27.

The two sections 22 and 23 are guided to relative position by the wires35 engaging the slots. The two sections 22 and 23 may be further guidedto relative position by providing alining means so as to definitely andpositively aliue one section with respect to the other.

This alining means, Fig. 5, may comprise one or more spaced dowels 42 onone or more of the runners of one section engaging. cooperating dowelreceiving holes 43 formed in the runners of the other section. Insteadof using the dowels 42 and the holes 43, the runners 24 and 27, or someof them, may be provided with alined arcuate grooves 44 and 45,respectively, Fig. 7, to receive an elongated key 46. The key 46 in. onearcuate groove may be secured in place, or it may be left loose to" fitinto the grooves to guide. one section with respect to its cooperatingsection. The arcua-te grooves 44 and 45 may be formed by means of aconventional circular saw.

The pallet 21, shown in Figs. to 10, therefore, comprises a unitarypallet made up of two sections secured together by continuous bindingwires 35 which not only hingedly connect the two sections together, butalso lock them together, each section being guided by the binding wires35 receivable in the end slots of the runners of each section. Thepallets 21, while in their laid out position, or mat arrangement shownin Fig. 5, are adapted to interfit or interengage each other, andthereby save considerable space over conventional pallets. Or, thecompleted unitary pallets, secured and locked together as shown in Figs.6, 7 and 8, may be stored in the conventional manner, if desired.

The runners 24, at their inner ends, where the adjacent ends of therunners 24 and 27 are hingedly connected together by the binding wires35, Figs. 7 to 10, are beveled as indicated at 48, Fig. 10, there beinga relatively straight or perpendicular part 49 between the upper end ofeach bevel 48 and the upper surface of the runner 24. The inner ends ofthe runners 24, Fig. 10, extend a predetermined distance beyond the sideedge 50 of the inermost s-lat 26. The slot 33 of each runner 24, of thesection 2, is considerably deepened as indicated at 51, so that eachbinding wire 35 will be in the slot 33 at the point 52, Fig. 1 0, whenthe sections 22 and 23 are brought to closed position, Figs. 6, 7, 9 and10.

The lower runners 27, at the outer side edges of the pallet 21, Figs. 5,6, 9 and 10, are considerably wider than the runners 24 to provide aprojecting ledge 53, Figs. 2, 9, 1'0, 13 and 14. The inner runner 27,positioned centrally of the section 23, is preferably the same width asthe central runner 24 of section 22. The inner end of each runner 27 isbeveled at 54, Fig. 10, to cooperate with the beveled surface 48 of eachrunner 24. The slot 34 is considerably deepened at the outer end of eachrunner, as indicated at '55, Fig. 10, so that the inner end of the slot34 will be relatively flush with the edge 56 of a bottom slat 30. Theside edge 50 of a slat 26 is in substantial vertical 'alinement with theside edge 56 of the slat 30. The ends of the slots 33 and 34, therefore,are in substantial vertical alinement. The inner end of the runners 24extends a predetermined distance inwardly beyond the side edge '50 of aslat 26, while the inner edge of the runners 27 extends a. predetermineddistance beyond the edge 56 of a slat 30; The cooperating beveledsurfaces 48 and 54 permit the hinged joint between. the two sections 22and 23 to be somewhat shortened, and assist in bringing the two sectionsinto better guiding position, as well as assisting in: maintaining thewires 35 in the respective slots 33" and 34 (51 and 55). The deepenedslots 51 and 55, and the beveled surfaces 48 and '54 cooperate to permiteasier folding of the two sections, and guide the two sections moreaccurately during folding movement.

The deck 25, Figs. 5 to 10, terminates a short distance inwardly of theend of the runners 24 and the runners project beyond the side edge 50 ofan inner sla-t 26. The outer edge 57 of the deck 25, Fig. 5,. alsoterminates short of the outer ends 58' of the runners 24, leavingoutwardly projecting ends 59, Fig. 5 The projecting ends 59 aline withthe outer projecting ends 60' of the runners 27, and when the twosections are connected together, the ends of the runners 24 and 27 willbe relatively flush, Fig. 6. The cooperating slots 31 and 3-2 at theother or outer ends of the sections" 22 and 23 are also considerablydeepened and extend inwardly from the outer ends of the runners 24 and27 so that the inner ends of the slots 31 and '32 will be relativelyflush with the outer edge 57 of a slat 26, Figs. 5 and 6.

The deck 25, Figs. 5, 6, 9, 13 and 14, has the outer side edges of theslats '26 projecting outwardly a predetermined distance from the outersides of the runners 24, as indicated at 61, Figs. 10, 13 and 14, andthus overhang the runners 24 at their outer side edges. The overhang 61on each side of the section 22 cooperates with interengaging means 62 onthe crate, Figs. 3 and 13 to 15.

The interengaging means 62', Figs. 3 and 13 to 15, comprises spacedapart rails or strips 63, 63 mounted on the inside of opposed cratepanels, the rails or strips 63 being shown as being specifically appliedto the crate panels 4 and 6, Fig. 3". One rail 63 is shown as beingsecured to a corner slat L1 and to .a bracing slat '13" of each of theopposed panels, while the other rail 63 is fastened to the bracing slat13 and the other corner slat 12 of each of the panels 4 and 6, Fig. 15.These rails or strips 63, 63 on opposed panels are adapted to bepositioned immediately beneath the projecting ledge 61 at each side ofthe deck 25. The vertical height of the rails 63 is substantially equalto the height of the runners 24 of the upper pallet section 22. The topof each rail 63 is relatively straight as at- 64, so as to be engagedsnugly with the underside of the overhang 61 at each side of the deck25, Figs. 13 to 15. The lower end of each rail 63 is beveled or rounded,as indicated at 65, to permit the rails to be pressed into place by asliding action. The rails 63 have their extreme lower ends substantiallyflush with the lower ends of the crate slats 11 to 13, as well aswiththe bottoms of the lower cleats 16 of opposed panels 4 and 6, sothat the bottoms of the slats and the bottoms of the lower outer cleats10 will rest upon the projection 53 at each outer side edge of thebottom rails 27, as clearly shown in Fig. 13. The upper surfaces 64 ofthe rails 63 are adapted to lie below the lower binding wire 8 of thecrate.

The interengaging means 62 preferably comprises the two rails 63, 63 soas to provide for a certain degree of flexibility to permit the crate,when in tube form, to be applied easily in position beneath the overhang61 of the deck 25. The crate 1, when in tube formation, is canted ortilted in the manner shown in Fig. 11 to allow the rails 63 on the panel4 to fit under the projection 61 at one side of the deck. The panel 6,then, may be dropped from the position shown in Fig. 11 to the positionshown in Fig. 14 and then to final position shown in Fig. 13. Theopposed panel 6 is thus snapped in position beneath the remainingoverhang 61 of the deck 25.

The crate may be easily applied by first placing the rails 63 of the endpanel 4 beneath the overhang 61 in the manner shown in Fig. 11 The panel6 may be then bowed outwardly slightly, as shown at the bottom of Fig.12, to allow the rails onpanel 6 to clear the overhang 61, as shown inFig. 1 4. Downward pressure on the crate I, particularly on the panel 6,then will cause the rails on that panel 6 to assume their locked orsnapped on" position as shown in Fig. 13. The upper edge 64 is thenbelow the bottom of the overhang 61, and the vertical slats 11 to 13 andthe lower cleats 10 rest on the pro jections 53 with the upper surface64 of each rail engaging the lower surface of the overhang 61 at eachside of the deck 25.

The thickness: of each rail 63 is equal, or substantially equal, to thedistance the edges of the slats 26 overhang the' outer sides of therunner 2 4. When the panel 6 finally is slipped into position, theopposed panels 4 and' 6 both will be in the position shown in' Fig. 13with the slats 11 to 13 and cleats 10 of opposed panels resting on theprojection 53 of each of the outside lower runners 27 The inner ends 66of the rails 63, Fig. 15, are spaced apart, while their outer ends 67are spaced a predetermined distance inwardly from the outer edges of thecorner slats of the panels to which the rails are attached. The panels 4and 6 have their bottoms extending a predetermined distance below thebottoms of the other panels (panels 3 and so that when the crate isapplied, the outer cleats of the panels 4 and 6 will rest upon theprojections 53 of the pallet.

The interengaging means 62, while shown specifically as comprising thetwo rails 63, 63, could, of course, be one continuous rail on each panel4 and 6. It has been found preferable that the two shorter rails be usedso as to provide for greater flexibility as the side panel 6 may beflexed and bowed outwardly in the manner shown in Fig. 12, to permit thetube to be applied easily in place, the crate snapping back intostraight line position because of the flexible character of the crate.

The opposed panels 3 and 5 finally come to rest on that part of therunners 24 which projects outwardly from the deck at its opposite ends.

The rails 63 are secured to their panels 4 and 6 by fastening means 68,Figs. 13 to 15, passing through the cleats and slats and into the rails63. Means for permanently fastening the crate to the pallet may comprisenails, staples, or the like (not shown) which may be driven through thecleats, slats and rails at the bottom of the panels 4 and 6 and into thecontacting side edges of the rails 24.

The snap-on or interengaging feature of the invention provides a cratebody which is adapted to be snapped in place on a bottom member, such asa pallet by the interlocking of the rails on opposed crate panels withthe overhang on opposite sides of the pallet. The snap-on feature of theinvention is also adaptable for the application of a wrap-around crate,whereby the crate may be applied in mat form over the pallet with therails 63 arranged beneath the overhang 61 on each side of the deck 25,the free ends of the binding wires 7 and 8 of the crate being laterlocked together in any manner desirable, such as by twisting the endstogether.

The snap-on feature of the crate is adaptable for use with conventionalsolid unitary pallets, as well as the two section pallet as hereinbeforedescribed. Also, the binding wires for the pallet 21 may encircle theouter sides of the sections, or they may be woven in and out so that thewires 7 and 8 will be on one side of certain slats and beneath otherslats, as shown in Fig. 15.

The binding wires 7 and 8 of the crate 1, while encircling the entirecrate 1, may be arranged between the corner slats 11 and 12, and extendover the top of the intermediate or bracing slats 13 of each panel. The

wires 7 and 8, Figs. 1, 2, 11 and 15 to 17, in order to permit the crate1 to be folded entirely and completely flat, as shown in Fig. 4, arepositioned between the outer surface of the corner slats 11 and 12 andthe inner surface of the cleats 9 and 10, and across the inside surfaceof the intermediate bracing slats 13.

It has been found expedient and desirable that the corner slats 11 and12, and the bracing slats 13, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 11, 13, 14 and15, be provided with horizontal grooves to receive the binding wires '7and 8 to make a better and smoother crate on the inside, as well asretaining all the functions for complete ly fiat folding of the panelsof the crate. Figs. 15 to 17, inclusive, show the binding wires 7 and 8arranged between outer faces of the corner slats 11 and 12 and theinside faces of the cleats. These binding wires 7 and 8 extend along theinside faces of the intermediate bracing slats 13.

The vertical corner slats 11 and 12, Figs. 15 to 17, of each panel, areprovided with transverse grooves 69 on their inner faces near the upperand lower ends. The

depth and height of each groove 69 is substantially the same, orslightly smaller, than the diameter of a binding wire 7 or 8. The cornerslats 11 and 12, therefore, have upper and lower grooves 69 on theirinner surfaces into which the binding wires are received. The bindingwires are arranged in their horizontal grooves 69 toward the innersurfaces of the exterior cleats 9 and 10, as clearly shown in Figs. 15and 17. The intermediate or bracing slats 13, whether they be verticalas shown, or whether they be diagonally positioned, or comprise crossbraces, are provided with upper and lower horizontal grooves 70 formedon their inside faces, as shown in Figs. 15 and 16. The size of theslots 70 is the same as the size of the slots 69, and the slots 69receive the binding wires 7 and 8 in the same manner, the wiresextending on the inner faces of the bracing slats 13 in the slots 70which are formed on the inner faces of the slats 13. Locking, orfastening, staples 71 are arranged on the inner faces of the cornerslats 11 and 12, and the intermediate bracing slats 13, and straddle thewires 7 and 8 having their legs entering the cleats, preferably all theway through and clinched on the outer faces of the cleats. The staples71, thus, securely lock the binding wires 7 and 8 in proper position;prevent any slippage of the binding wires; provide for a smootherinterior surface of the crate; and still maintain the proper foldingcorners 16 and 18 to allow the crate to be fully and completely foldedand collapsed, as shown in Fig. 4. The provision of the horizontal slots69 and 70 to receive binding wires is shown in applicants copendingapplication, Serial No. 618,640, filed October 26, 1956.

The invention provides a new and improved crate that may be snapped onor off of a pallet or other bottom. The bottom, or pallet, is providedwith an offset to form a ledge to support the crate. Certain opposedwalls, or panels, of the crate may have locking rails or strips appliedon the inner surfaces thereof for locking engagement with the protrudingside edges of the deck, whereby the crate may be easily slipped on orremoved. The snap-on arrangement of the crate with respect to its palletis a decided advantage in that the pallet may be shipped in flat, ormat, form, as shown in Fig. 5, with one pallet nesting on another, thuspreserving space in shipping and storing. Also, the provision of thefolding corners permits the crate proper to be completely folded Hat,and when the horizontal grooves 69 and 70 are provided in the slats, thecrate will take up even less room, at least an amount equivalent to twothicknesses of binding wire.

The invention herein is shown as being applied to a crate, but theinvention, in its broadest sense, not only includes a crate, but a boxas well. Also, the crate may be in the form of a tube or in the form ofa mat of the wraparound type.

Changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of theparts without depending from the spirit of the invention or sacrificingany of its advantages, and the right is hereby reserved to make all suchchanges as fall fairly within the scope of the following claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. A crate comprising a pair of opposed walls, at least one of a pair ofopposed enclosing side walls being capable of being flexed intermediateits ends, other walls hingedly connected to said opposed walls andform.- ing enclosing side walls for the crate, a pallet upon which thecrate is mounted, said pallet having side rails of two widths forming aprojection on each of the outer sides of outer pallet side rails, saidpallet having parts overhanging the upper surfaces of the pallet siderails on opposite sides, strip means having a length materially lessthan the length of the opposed side walls, said strip means beingarranged on the inner surfaces of said opposed crate side walls andengaging the overhanging parts on said opposite sides of the palletbetween the overhanging parts and the projection on each side of thepallet rails for interlocking. engagement/ therewith, said stripmeansincludinga plurality of. spaced strips and the, outermost ends ofthe outermost strips being spaced inwardly from the vertical edges ofthe side walls, said opposed crate side walls resting on top of saidprojections of the pallet 2. A- crate comprising a plurality of hingedlyconnected panels, each panel including inner vertically positionedcorner slats, upper and lower exterior cleats mounted on the outsidefaces of said corner slats and fastened thereto, encircling bindingwires arranged between the outer faces of the corner slats and the innerfaces of the cleats, a pallet upon which the crate is mounted, saidpallet comprising an upper section and a lower section, the uppersection having spaced side rails, said pallet including a deck on saidside rails projecting a distance beyond the outer sides of said siderails forming an overhang on opposite sides of the pallet, said lowersection'having spaced rails wider than the rails of the upper sectionproviding an outer projection on each side, binding wires hingedlyconnecting the two sections together and locking the two sectionstogether, strip means on a pair of opposed panels positioned beneath theoverhang on the deck detachably interlocking the crate to the pallet.

3. A crate comprising a plurality of hingedly connected panels, eachpanel including inner vertically positioned corner slats, upper andlower exterior cleats mounted on the outside faces of said corner slatsand fastened thereto, encircling binding wires arranged between theouter faces of the corner slats and the inner faces of the cleats, apallet upon which the crate is mounted, said pallet comprising an uppersection and a lower section, the upper section having spaced side railsand a deck on said side rails projecting a distance beyond the outersides of said side rails forming an overhang on each side of the pallet,said lower section having spaced rails wider than the rails of the uppersection forming an outer projection on each side, binding wires hingedlyconnecting the two sections together and locking the two sectionstogether, strip means on a pair of opposed panels and adapted to bepositioned beneath the overhang on. the deck and above the projectionsof the lower rails, said opposed panels having the lower ends of thecorner slats and bottoms of their lower cleats resting on theprojections.

4. A crate comprising a plurality of hingedly connected panels, eachpanel including. inner vertically positioned corner slats, upper andlower exterior cleats mounted on the outside faces of said corner slatsand fastened thereto, encircling binding wires arranged between theouter faces of the corner slats and the inner faces of the cleats, apallet upon which the crate is mounted, 'sajid pallet comprising anupper section and a lower section, the upper sectionhaVing spaced siderails and a deck on said side rails projecting a distance beyond theouter sides of said side rails forming an overhang on each side of thepallet, said lower section having spaced rails wider than the rails ofthe upper section forming an outer projection on each side, bindingwires hingedly connecting the two sections together and locking the twosections together, strip means on a pair of opposed panels andpositioned beneath the overhang on the deck to detachably interlock thecrate to the pallet, said corner slats having horizontal grooves formedon their inner surfaces receiving said wires.

5. A crate comprising a body having a plurality of hingedly connectedpanels, each panel including inner vertically positioned corner slats,bracing slats arranged between said corner slats, upper and lowerexterior cleats mounted on the outside faces of said corner slats andsaid bracing slats and fastened thereto, crate encircling binding wireshingedly connecting said panels together, said binding wires extendingacross the inside faces of the bracing slats and arranged between theouter faces of the corner slats and the inner faces of the cleats, apallet upon which. the crate is mounted, said pallet. comprising anupper section and a lower section, the upper section having spaced siderails and a deck. fastened to said side rails projecting apredetermined. distance beyond the outer sides of said side railsforming. an. overhang on each side of the pallet, said lower sectionhaving. spaced rails wider than the rails of the upper section andextending. outwardly from the outer sides of the rails. of the firstsection forming a projection on each side of the pallet, pallet bindingwires hingedly connecting the two sections together, said wires lockingthe two sections together, locking means on a pair of opposed cratepanel's positioned beneath the overhang on the deck detachablyinterlocking the crate to the pallet,

6. A crate comprising a body having a plurality of hingedly connectedpanels, each: panel including inner vertically positioned corner slats,bracing slats arranged between. said corner slats, upper andlowerexterior cleats mounted on. the outside faces of said corner slats andsaid bracing slats and fastened thereto, crate encircling binding wireshingedly connecting said panels together, said binding wires. extending;across the inside faces of the bracing slats and arranged between theouter faces of the corner slatsand the inner faces of the cleats, apallet upon which the crate is mounted, said pallet comprising an uppersection and. a lower section, the upper section having spaced side railsand a. deck fastened to said side rails projecting. a predetermineddistance beyond the outer sides of said side rails forming an overhangon each side of the pallet, said lower section having spaced rails widerthant-he rails of the upper section and extending outwardly from theouter sides of the rails of the first section forming a projection oneach side of the pallet, pallet binding wireshingedly connecting the twosections together, said wires locking the two sections together, lockingmeans on a pair of opposed crate panels positioned beneath the overhangon the deck detachably interlocking. the crate to the pallet, saidlocking means comprising strip means secured to the inner surfaces of apair of opposed panels adjacent the lower ends thereof.

7. A crate comprising a body having a plurality of hingedly connectedpanels, each panel including inner vertically positioned. corner slats,bracing slats arranged between said corner slats, upper and lowerexterior cleats mounted on the outside faces of said corner slats. andsaid bracing slats and fastened thereto, crate encircling binding wireshingedly connecting said panels together, said binding wires extendingacross the inside faces of the bracing slats and arranged between theouter faces of the corner slats and the inner faces of the cleats, apalletv upon which the crate is: mounted, said pallet comprising anupper section and alower section, the upper section having spaced siderails and a deck fastened to said side rails projecting a predetermineddistance beyond the outer sides of said side rails forming an overhangon each side of the pallet, said lower section having spaced rails widerthan the rails of the upper section and extending outwardly from theouter sides of the rails of the first section forming a projection oneach side of the pallet, pallet binding wires hingedly connecting thetwo sections together, said wires locking the two sections together,locking means on a pair of opposed crate panels positioned beneath theoverhang on the deck detachably interlocking the crate to the pallet,said locking means comprising a pair of horizontally disposed spacedapart wood strips mounted on the inner faces of a pair of opposed panelsadjacent the lower ends of the opposed panels.

8. A crate comprising a body having a plurality of hingedly connectedpanels, each panel including inner vertically positioned corner slats,bracing slats arranged between said corner slats, upper and lowerexterior cleats mounted on the outside faces of said corner slats andsaid bracing slats and fastened thereto, crate encircling binding wireshingedly connecting said panels together, said binding wires extendingacross the inside faces of the bracing slats and arranged between theouter faces of the corner slats and the inner faces of the cleats, apallet upon which the crate is mounted, said pallet comprising an uppersection and a lower section, the upper section having spaced side railsand a deck fastened to said side rails projecting a predetermineddistance beyond the outer sides of said side rails forming an overhangon each side of the pallet, said lower section having spaced rails widerthan the rails of the upper section and extending outwardly from theouter sides of the rails of the first section forming a projection oneach side of the pallet, pallet binding wires hingedly connecting thetwo sections together, said wires locking the two sections together,locking means on a pair of opposed crate panels positioned beneath theoverhang on the deck detachably interlocking the crate to the pallet,said locking means com prising a pair of horizontally disposed spacedapart wood strips mounted on the inner faces of a pair of opposed panelsadjacent the lower ends of the opposed panels, said corner slats of eachpanel having horizontal grooves formed on their outer surfaces at thetop and bottom thereof and receiving the crate binding wires.

9. A crate comprising a body having a plurality of hingedly connectedpanels, each panel including inner vertically positioned corner slats,bracing slats arranged between said corner slats, upper and lowerexterior cleats mounted on the outside faces of said corner slats andsaid bracing slats and fastened thereto, crate encircling binding wireshingedly connecting said panels together, said binding wires extendingacross the inside faces of the bracing slats and arranged between theouter faces of the corner slats and the inner faces of the cleats, apallet upon which the crate is mounted, said pallet comprising an uppersection and a lower section, the upper section having spaced side railsand a deck fastened to said side rails projecting a predetermineddistance beyond the outer sides of said side rails forming an overhangon each side of the pallet, said lower section having spaced rails widerthan the rails of the upper section and extending outwardly from theouter sides of the rails of the first section forming a projection oneach side of the pallet, pallet binding wires hingedly connecting thetwo sections together, said wires locking the two sections together,locking means on a pair of opposed crate panels positioned beneath theoverhang on the deck detachably interlocking the crate to the pallet,said locking means comprising a pair of horizontally disposed spacedapart wood strips mounted on the inner faces of a pair of opposed panelsadjacent the lower ends of the opposed panels, said corner slats of eachpanel having horizontal grooves formed on their outer surfaces at thetop and bottom thereof and receiving the crate binding wires, saidbracing V 12 slats having horizontal grooves formed on their innersurfaces at the top and bottom thereof in alinement with the grooves inthe corner slats to receive said crate binding wires.

10. A crate comprising a body having a plurality of hingedly connectedpanels, each panel including inner vertically positioned corner slats,bracing slats arranged between said corner slats, upper and lowerexterior cleats mounted on the outside faces of said corner slats andsaid bracing slats and fastened thereto, crate encircling binding wireshingedly connecting said panels together, said binding wires extendingacross the inside faces of the bracing slats and arranged between theouter faces of the corner slats and the inner faces of the cleats, apallet upon which the crate is mounted, said pallet comprising an uppersection and a lower section, the upper section having spaced side railsand a deck fastened to said side rails projecting a predetermineddistance beyond the outer sides of said side rails forming an overhangon each side of the pallet, said lower section having spaced rails widerthan the rails of the upper section and extending outwardly from theouter sides of the rails of the first section forming a projection oneach side of the pallet, pallet binding wires hingedly connecting thetwo sections together, said wires locking the two sections together,locking means on a pair of opposed crate panels positioned beneath theoverhang on the deck detachably interlocking the crate to the pallet,said locking means comprising a pair of horizontally disposed spacedapart wood strips mounted on the inner faces of a pair of opposed panelsadjacent the lower ends of the opposed panels, said corner slats of eachpanel having horizontal grooves formed on their outer surfaces at thetop and bottom thereof and receiving the crate binding wires, saidbracing slats having horizontal grooves formed on their inner surfacesat the top and bottom thereof in alinement with the grooves in thecorner slats to receive said crate binding wires, certain panels beingspaced apart a distance at least twice the thickness of two corner slatsforming a folding corner, the diametrically opposite corner having thepanels spaced apart a distance equal to two corner slats, and remainingspaces between adjacent panels being spaced a distance apart equal tothe thickness of one slat each, whereby the crate body may be foldedcompletely flat.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,054,378 Williams Feb. 25, 1913 1,490,558 Dunning Apr. 15, 19242,177,507 Weiller Oct. 24, 1939 2,272,020 Ridge Feb. 3, 1942 2,651,431Johnson Sept. 8, 1953 2,743,010 Koester Apr. 24, 1956

